US8713013B2 - Methods, systems, and products for searching interactive menu prompting systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A search request is received, and the search request includes a search term. A query is sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result is received and communicated to a client.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/303,132, filed Dec. 16, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,577,664, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

A portion of this disclosure and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

This application generally relates to communications and, more particularly, to interactive voice messaging systems and to messaging.

Prompting systems are very popular in today's communications environment. These prompting systems, such as an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, quickly direct a user to a particular department, extension, or information. These prompting systems, additionally, are an efficient and less expensive method of resolving customer inquiries. Although some users lament the loss of human operators, today's prompting systems provide generally satisfactory customer service at a lower cost.

While prompting systems offer advantages for both businesses and users, current prompting systems are not suited to the Internet environment. That is, the menu of prompts is not accessible to computer users. While an IVR system's menu of prompts may be convenient for callers, computer users could also benefit from having similar access to the menu of prompts. What is needed, then, is an IVR menu of prompts that can be accessed and searched via the World Wide Web.

SUMMARY

The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to the exemplary embodiments, using methods, systems, and products that allow searching of a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A searchable listing is the system's menu of prompts that has been formatted and/or converted into Internet-capable statements. That is, the interactive menu prompting system's menu of prompts is converted into statements that can be communicated across the World Wide Web. The searchable listing is a computer file that contains these Internet-capable statements. The searchable listing is stored on an accessible computer server, such that the searchable listing may be accessed, or “crawled,” and stored in a YAHOO® or GOOGLE® database. The searchable listing, then, is made available for public querying or searching, as other webpage postings. A computer user, then, may search the searchable listing to find telephone numbers, addresses, and other related information contained within the interactive menu prompting system's menu of prompts. As the following paragraphs will explain, tags may also be added to enhance search capabilities, thus providing a more meaningful search result.

The exemplary embodiments describe a method for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A search request is received, and the search request comprises a search term. A query is then sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result of the query is received and communicated to a client.

In another of the embodiments, a system is disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. The system comprises a query handler stored in memory, and a processor communicates with the memory. The processor receives a search request comprising a search term. The query handler issues a query to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. The processor receives a search result of the query and communicates the search result to a client.

In yet another embodiment, a computer program product is also disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. The computer program product stores computer code for receiving a search request comprising a search term. A query is then sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result of the query is received and communicated to a client.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to the exemplary embodiments will be or become apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the claims, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating implementation of system for searching a hierarchical tree menu of an interactive menu prompting system, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating handling of a search result, according to more exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a generic search of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu, according to more exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematics illustrating presentation of a quick dialing sequence, according to even more exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating handling of a telephone number query, according to more exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating handling of a query for a communications address, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematics illustrating a preliminary query, according to still more exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 10-13 are schematics illustrating handling of tags, according to more exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematics illustrating auto-dialing of a telephone number, according to still more exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 16 depicts a possible operating environment for exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method for searching a searchable listing of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer.

According to exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and products are disclosed that allow searching of a searchable listing. According to an embodiment, a searchable listing is an interactive menu prompting system's menu of prompts that has been formatted and/or converted into Internet-capable statements. That is, the interactive menu prompting system's menu of prompts is converted into statements that can be communicated across the World Wide Web. The searchable listing is a computer file that contains these Internet-capable statements. The searchable listing is stored on an accessible computer server, such that the searchable listing may be accessed, or “crawled,” and stored in a database, such as a YAHOO® or GOOGLE® database. The searchable listing, then, is made available for public querying or searching, as other webpage postings. A computer user, then, may search the searchable listing to find telephone numbers, addresses, and other related information contained within the interactive menu prompting system's menu of prompts. Tags may also be added to enhance search capabilities, thus providing a more meaningful search result.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating asystem20 for searching a hierarchical tree menu of an interactive menu prompting system, according to exemplary embodiments. Thesystem20 is illustrated as acomputer22, but thesystem20 may be any processor-controlled device. Aquery handler24 is stored inmemory26 of thecomputer22, and aprocessor28 communicates with thememory26. Thequery handler24 may be a software application that receives and processes database search requests. Thequery handler24, for example, receives asearch request30 via acommunications network32. Thesearch request30 communicates from aclient communications device34. Thesearch request30 has a packetized structure according to a packet protocol, and thesearch request30 comprises asearch term36.

Thequery handler24 then queries anIVR database38. TheIVR database38 contains references and archival copies of web pages and other online sources of IVR structures which have been tagged as having IVR source data information for a particular phone number. TheIVR database38 stores asearchable listing40 of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)system42. TheIVR database38 may include an index to a point of origin for thesearchable listing40. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, an IVR system presents a menu of prompts to a user, and the IVR system receives responses to those prompts. According to an exemplary embodiment, however, theIVR system42 presents amenu44 of prompts that is formatted for storage and retrieval as an online resource or accessible webpage. Thesearchable listing40, then, represents this formatted andsearchable menu44 of prompts. That is, the IVR system'smenu44 of prompts is converted into statements that can be easily searched and communicated across any network. Themenu44 of prompts may be manually converted (perhaps by the recipient), or a software program (perhaps built into the query handler24) may convert the menu of prompts into an active and/or passive set of readable data. Themenu44 of prompts, for example, may be formatted into an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and stored in theIVR database38. Themenu44 of prompts, for example, may be stored on a web site as a standalone page. Themenu44 of prompts may be accessed by clicking on a phone number which has an IVR icon (perhaps resembling a telephone keypad). Themenu44 of prompts could also be converted to Standardized Generalized Markup Language (SGML) statements and stored in a centralized online resource (e.g., the Yellow Pages) which would aggregate the information in one place. Any language, in fact, may be used to convert the IVR system'smenu44 of prompts into statements for transmission across the World Wide Web. Whatever the language, thesearchable listing40 is a file that contains these statements. Thesearchable listing40 may then be queried and searched, as may be other webpage postings.

When thequery handler24 receives the packetizedsearch request30, thequery handler24 determines what is requested. Thequery handler24 looks to see if IVR information or if a telephone number is being requested. If an IVR specific search is being requested, thequery handler24 issues aquery46. Thequery46 contains thesearch term36. Thequery handler24 queries theIVR database38 to determine if any listedsearchable listing40 contains thesearch term36. If theIVR database38 is remotely located from thecomputer22, then thequery handler24 sends the packetizedquery42 via thecommunications network32. Whatever the physical location of theIVR database38, thequery handler24 receives apacketized response48. Thepacketized response48 comprises asearch result50. Thesearch result50 describes all resources that contain thesearch term36. Thequery handler24 commonly return communicates thesearch result50 to theclient communications device34 via thecommunications network32. Thequery handler24 may return communicate thesearch result50 in any form, such as an abbreviated or verbose manner, by which the client may choose to expand or act on the returned information.

Thequery handler24 may first inspect thepacketized search request30. Thequery handler24 may inspect thesearch request30 to see if IVR information or if a telephone number is being requested. If thequery handler24 determines that a telephone number (with or without an IVR request) is being submitted, thequery handler24 may query search other databases as well to return a complete set of numbers which do and/or do not contain IVR tree information. In the case where a telephone number search returns an information tag that the IVR data is also available, the IVR information may also be returned (perhaps appended to the search result), or made accessible by denoting that the search result (e.g., showing a telephony keypad icon) has IVR information that is available.

The exemplary embodiments are applicable to any interactive menu prompting system. Because most readers are assumed to be generally familiar with an Interactive Voice Response system, such system is mostly discussed herein. The exemplary embodiments, however, may be applied to any type of menu system, whether exposed by voice or by visual prompts. Any type of menu system, having a sequence of numerical choices that can be exposed for searching and speed entry, may utilize the exemplary embodiments. Additionally, any vendor's Interactive Voice Response application may be designed or revised to include the principles described herein. A conventional IVR system, however, need not facilitate creation of searchable IVR structures (such as the searchable listing40). Facilitating and/or creating searchable IVR structures may be accomplished manually or by other semi-automated means outside of the conventional IVR system. In many instances, a standalone IVR translator may be used to convert existing structures that do not provide or are incapable of adding searchable functionality. Additionally, any menu of prompts may be converted and/or formatted into XML statements, SGML statements, or any other language for transmission across the World Wide Web or over a private network(s). Because Interactive Voice Response systems are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the operating principles and componentry of conventional IVR systems will not be further explained for brevity. If, however, the reader desires a further explanation, the reader is directed to the following sources, all incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,336 to Hanson (Jan. 18, 2000); U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,238 to Sansone et al. (Apr. 9, 2002); U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,619 to Sassin et al. (Sep. 24, 2002); U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,277 to Beyda et al. (Nov. 26, 2002); U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,733 to Pearson et al. (Apr. 26, 2005); U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,466 to Peterson et al. (Jul. 26, 2005); U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,853 to Cebulka et al. (Oct. 3, 1995); U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,790 to Narayanaswami (Aug. 15, 2000); U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,264 to Kurganov (Aug. 10, 2004); Published U.S. Patent Application 2003/0041314 to Heeren et al. (Feb. 27, 2003); Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0042593 to Gulrajani et al. (Mar. 4, 2004); Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0120479 to Creamer et al. (Jun. 24, 2004); Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0153322 to Neuberger et al. (Aug. 5, 2004); Published U.S. Patent Application 2004/0205731 to Junkermann (Oct. 14, 2004); Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0135338 to Chiu et al. (Jun. 23, 2005); and Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0137875 to Kim et al. (Jun. 23, 2005).

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating handling of thesearch result50, according to more exemplary embodiments. After receiving thesearch result50, thequery handler24 return communicates thesearch result50 to theclient communications device34 via thecommunications network32. When theclient communications device34 receives thepacketized search result50, a web browser52 (or any other program) causes theclient communications device34 to visually and/or audibly process thesearch result50. Theclient communications device34 may visually present thesearch result50 via adisplay device54. Theclient communications device34 may additionally or alternatively audibly present thesearch result50 via an audio device (not shown for simplicity).FIG. 2, for example, illustrates thedisplay device54 displaying abranch portion56 of thesearchable listing40. That is, theclient communications device34 displays a graphical portion of theIVR menu44 of prompts that contains thesearch result50. Remember, the IVR system'smenu44 of prompts was converted into Internet-capable statements and stored as thesearchable listing40. Thesearch result50, then, could include a graphical version of a portion or branch containing the search term (shown asreference numeral36 inFIG. 1). A user of theclient communications device34, then, sees a graphical branch of the IVR system'smenu44 of prompts. Thesearch result50, then, is a “short cut” to the desired information contained with theIVR menu44 of prompts.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a generic search of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu, according to more exemplary embodiments. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thesearch request30 may comprise anysearch term36 that the user desires.FIG. 3, then, illustrates thesearch term36 as any text or text string. While thesearch term36 may commonly be a telephone number, thesearch term36 may be any text or text string that the user desires. The user, for example, may issue a search for “St Joe's Outpatient Billing.” The resultingsearch result50 could be a telephone number and/or web page(s) that contains “St Joe's Outpatient Billing.” Thesearch result50 may additionally or alternatively contain a marker or explicit data about an IVR tree associated with thatsearch term36. So, while the exemplary embodiments sometimes mention telephone number, thesearch term36 may be any text or text string. Thesearch result50, then, may be any content or resource that matches thesearch term36. When theclient communications device34 receives thesearch result50, theclient communications device34 visually and/or audibly processes thesearch result50. Theclient communications device34 may also process anicon57. Theicon57 is actionable in that the user may select theicon57. Theicon57, upon selection, invokes some action, such as an auto-dialing application (as will be discussed with reference toFIGS. 14 & 15).

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating presentations of a quick dialing sequence, according to even more exemplary embodiments. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch result50, thesearch result50 may comprise aquick code58. Thequick code58 is astring60 of sequential responses for the IVR system. When theclient communications device34 receives and displays thesearch result50, the user may then dial into theIVR system42. Because the user has previously received thequick code58, the user can input thequick code58 and immediately navigate to a desired location within theIVR menu44 of prompts. The user, for example, may input the quick code “1, 3, 2, 4, 2” and immediately reach a portion of the menu tree matching the search term (shown asreference numeral36 inFIG. 1). Thequick code58 allows the user to immediately reach a desired department or extension, without listening to theentire menu44 of prompts. Thesearchable listing40, and the returnedquick code58, save time and make theIVR system42 even easier to use.

FIG. 4 also illustrates conveniences for the user. When theclient communications device34 receives and displays thesearch result50, the user is able to quickly and easily view the search result50 (via the display device54). Thesearch result50, for example, may include thebranch portion56 of thesearchable listing40. Thebranch portion56 includes the search term (shown asreference numeral36 inFIG. 1) and all the search results50 matching the search term.FIG. 4, for example, illustrates highlighted search terms (“St. Joe's Hospital” and “mammograms”) and the search results50. Here the search results50 include a telephone number of the hospital (“404-888-1234”) and the quick code58 (“13242”). Note thequick code58 may be highlighted to match the search terms. Thesearch result50 may additionally include upper and/or lower tier levels within thesearchable listing40. The user may thus navigate through the searchable listing40 (using cursor movement keys or commands) to select other portions of the IVR tree.

FIG. 5 is another schematic illustrating presentation of thesearch result50, according to even more exemplary embodiments. Here thesearch result50 includes acommunications address62. The communications address62 may be a physical address, an email address, a telephone number, or other information, as will be explained. Suppose the search term (shown asreference numeral36 inFIG. 1) is an employee name. Thequery handler24 queries theIVR database38 to determine whether thesearchable listing40 contains the employee name (as FIG.1 and its accompanying text explained). When theIVR database38 returns thesearch result50, theIVR database38 also returns the communications address62 associated with that portion of thesearchable listing40 containing the employee name. Thecommunications address62, for example, could be a physical address, a telephone number, or an electronic address (e.g., an email address or IP address). If the returnedcommunications address62 is atelephone number64, the user may then directly dial the retrieved telephone number to reach the employee. Similarly, if the search request (shown asreference numeral30 inFIG. 1) did not specify an IVR look-up, theIVR database38 may still be referenced, and results returned showing an icon next to the employee's name indicating that it was found in thesearchable listing40, and that the IVR information may also be shown.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating a telephone number query, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, when thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thesearch term36 is atelephone number66. Thequery handler24 then queries theIVR database38 to determine if there are one or moresearchable listings40 referencing thetelephone number66. If thetelephone number66 is found, thequery handler24 return communicates the IVR structure associated with that telephone number, or thequery handler24 return communicates at least that branch portion containing thetelephone number66 within the IVR structure. Thesearch result50 may also include thequick code58 to immediately reach an extension matching thetelephone number66 if additional data is entered.

Thesearch result50 need not be a branch portion. Thesearch result50 could include an entire graphical version of the IVR system'smenu44 of prompts. That is, if any portion of thesearchable listing40 contains thesearch term36, then thequery handler24 may retrieve and return communicate the entire IVR menu tree. Thesearchable listing40 is retrieved for display at theclient communications device34. Yet theIVR menu44 of prompts can be large and unwieldy—a large organization may have a largesearchable listing40. Moreover, if the entiresearchable listing40 is returned to theclient communications device34, the user may find it challenging to navigate such a large tree. Thesearch result50, then, may only be a branch portion that matches thesearch term36.

Thesearch result50 could include multiple results. If thesearch term36 is not specific, thequery handler24 may find several branch portions of thesearchable listing40 that contain thesearch term36. Thesearch result50 may then comprise those multiple results. Thequery handler24, however, could prompt the user to refine the search. If thesearchable listing40 contains multiple branches that match thesearch term36, thequery handler24 may return a message asking the user to refine thesearch term36.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating a query for a communications address, according to exemplary embodiments. Here, when thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thesearch term36 is acommunications address68. Thequery handler24 then queries theIVR database38 to determine if thesearchable listing40 contains thecommunications address68. The communications address68 may be an email address, a pager address, an instant messaging address, or any Internet Protocol address. Thecommunications address68, however, may additionally or alternatively be a physical address, such as a number and street, city, state, country, and/or postal code. The communications address68 may also include a building, department, floor, lab, supervisor, employee name and/or number, or any other identifying information. The communications address68 may even include the telephone number (shown asreference numeral66 inFIG. 6). If thecommunications address68 is found, thequery handler24 return communicates at least that branch portion containing any information associated with thecommunications address68. Thequery handler24 return communications thesearch result50 to theclient communications device34. Thesearch result50 may again include thequick code58 to immediately reach a person or party at thecommunications address68.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematics illustrating a preliminary query, according to still more exemplary embodiments. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thesearch term36 may again include thetelephone number66. Here, however, thequery handler24 first performs a preliminary query to determine whether thetelephone number66 is associated with one or more searchable listings. Because many IVR systems may have their respective menu of prompts converted into Internet-capable statements, thequery handler24 may have access to many different searchable listings. Suppose, for example, BELLSOUTH®, GENERAL ELECTRIC®, MICROSOFT®, and numerous other corporations and businesses have converted their IVR menu into Internet statements. These businesses then post their searchable listings on the World Wide Web. Thequery handler24, then, must first choose which searchable listing to query for thesearch term36.

Here, then, thequery handler24 performs a preliminary query. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30 with thetelephone number66, thequery handler24 sends apreliminary query70 to adatabase72 of searchable listings. Thepreliminary query70 communications via thecommunications network32. Thedatabase72 of searchable listings maps telephone numbers to searchable listings. Thedatabase72 of searchable listings determines which of two or more accessible searchable listings contains thetelephone number66. Thedatabase72 of searchable listings may represent a directory service (such as www.yellowpages.com). If thedatabase72 of searchable listings contains thetelephone number66, thedatabase72 of searchable listings returns an Internet Protocol address for the server storing the searchable listing associated with thattelephone number66. This server stores a person's, company's, or other entity's statement structures. If thetelephone number66, for example, is associated with the BellSouth's posted searchable listing, then thedatabase72 of searchable listings returns the IP address for the server storing BellSouth's searchable listing. If thedatabase72 of searchable listings contains thetelephone number66, thedatabase72 of searchable listings returns anInternet Protocol address74. This Internet Protocol address may then be used to initiate a VoIP call directly to that person or department, from theclient communications device34.

FIG. 9, then, illustrates a query for directory service(s). When thequery handler24 receives theInternet Protocol address74, theInternet Protocol address74 identifies the address of aserver76. Theserver76 stores asearchable listing78 associated with thetelephone number66. Thequery handler24 then sends thequery46 to theInternet Protocol address74 associated with theserver76. Thequery46 contains thetelephone number66 and communicates via thecommunications network32. Theserver76 receives thequery46 and accesses thesearchable listing78 associated with thetelephone number66. Theserver76 then retrieves from thesearchable listing78 any information associated with thetelephone number66. Theserver78, for example, could retrieve an employee name associated with thetelephone number66. Whatever theserver78 retrieves, theserver78 return communicates thepacketized response48 comprising thesearch result50. Thesearch result50 describes any information associated with thetelephone number66. Thequery handler24 may then communicate thesearch result50 to the requesting application or directory service (not shown) being accessed through theclient communications device34, with the result displayed within that application as appropriate.

The preliminary query may involve other parameters. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thequery handler24 may query thedatabase72 of searchable listings for any portion or term in thesearch term36. Thedatabase72 of searchable listings maps thesearch term36 to searchable listings. Thedatabase72 of searchable listings determines which of two or more accessible searchable listings contains thesearch term36. If thedatabase72 of searchable listings contains thesearch term36, then thedatabase72 of searchable listings again returns theInternet Protocol address74. ThisInternet Protocol address74 identifies the server storing the searchable listing associated with thesearch term36.

FIGS. 10-13 are schematics illustrating tags, according to more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of themenu44 of prompts, whileFIGS. 11-13 illustrate a tag80 as thesearch result50.FIG. 10 illustrates themenu44 of prompts presented by theIVR system42. Themenu44 of prompts includes one or moredescriptive tags82. Thesetags82 describe a genre, a category, and/or a subcategory associated with abranch portion84. When themenu44 of prompts gets formatted and/or converted into searchable statements, those statements include any descriptive tags associated with the branched tree structure. Each tag is associated with a text string, and the text string may be searched. These tags may include such things as IVR category, Sub menu descriptor, Availability, Data Required before contact, Web site equivalent location (for info only IVR entries), on-line chat link, and any other information.

An example helps explain tags. Suppose a fictitious “St. Joe's Hospital” uses an Interactive Voice Response system to greet callers. A portion of the hospital'sIVR menu44 of prompts is illustrated inFIG. 10. The telephone number “404-888-1234” (shown as reference numeral86) connects to the hospital's IVR system for appointment inquiries. The IVR system thus has aname tag88 of “Appointment Inquiries.” Thename tag88 is also associated with one or more search tags90. These search tags are listed as “Appointments,” “Time,” “Schedules,” “Hours,” and “Availability.” When St. Joe's Hospital converts thisIVR menu44 of prompts into its corresponding searchable listing, thetags82 are added to the statements to enable a more meaningful search.

Tags may also be added to branches of themenu44 of prompts. AsFIG. 10 also illustrates, suppose the hospital'sIVR menu44 of prompts includes afirst branch92 “Walk-In Clinic,” asecond branch94 “In-Patient,” and athird branch96 “Same Day Surgery.” Each of these branches also has its associated search tags. Thefirst branch92 “Walk-In Clinic” has a first grouping98 of associated search tags. Thesecond branch94 and the third96 branch include theirrespective groupings100 and102 of associated search tags.

FIG. 11, then, illustrates St. Joe's correspondingsearchable listing104. The hospital'sIVR menu44 of prompts is then formatted and/or converted to their searchable listing104 (e.g., XML, SGML, or other Internet-capable statements) and stored at theIVR database38. Now, suppose the user at theclient communications device34 wants to perform a search for “St. Joe's Schedule Blood Test.” Theclient communications device34 sends thesearch request30. When thequery handler24 receives thesearch request30, thesearch term36 is “St. Joe's Schedule Blood Test.” Thequery handler24 then queries theIVR database38 for thesearch term36. The returnedsearch result50 comprises any information associated with the search term36 (e.g., “St. Joe's Schedule Blood Test”).

FIG. 12 illustrates thesearch result50. Here, thetags82 provide a richer search result. Because St. Joe's convertedsearchable listing104 includes the search tags82, thesearch result50 has meaningful content. Thesearch result50, for example, could include the communications address62 (such as a street address and a telephone number) associated with the search term “St. Joe's Schedule Blood Test.” Because the searchable listing (shown asreference numeral104 inFIG. 11) includes the search tags82, a better match can be found from the search tags “Walk-In Clinic,” and “Blood Tests,” and “Appointments.” Thequery handler24, then, is able to return a more meaningful search result to thesearch term36. Thesearch result50 may even include thequick code58 for directly dialing the clinic.

The search results50 may includerelated data106. Anytag82 may includerelated data106 associated with the tag. Suppose the search tag “Blood Tests” (shown asreference numeral108 inFIG. 10) has associated data describing procedures for obtaining a blood test.FIG. 12, for example, illustrates somerelated data106 that describes the hours for blood tests and a notice for priority scheduling. Eachtag82, in fact, may have any type and amount of related data that more clearly describes the associated tag.

FIG. 13, then, is a schematic illustrating the retrieval of tags and related data, according to exemplary embodiments. Theclient communications device34 sends thesearch request30 to thequery handler24. Thesearch request30 includes thesearch term36. Thequery handler24 then queries theIVR database38 for thesearch term36. TheIVR database38 retrieves any information associated with thesearch term36 and with the search tags82. The returnedsearch result50 includes this related information. Thesearch result50, for example, may include one or more of thetags82. Thesetags82 describe a genre, a category, and/or a subcategory associated with a branch portion of thesearchable listing40. Eachtag82 is associated with atext string110, and thetext string110 may be searched and retrieved.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematics illustrating auto-dialing of a telephone number, according to still more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 14 is similar toFIGS. 1 and 2, so the common portions will only be briefly described. When the user at theclient communications device34 issues the search request (shown asreference numeral30 in FIGS.1 &6-8), the search request communicates to thequery handler24 via thecommunications network32. The search request includes the search term (shown asreference numeral36 in FIGS.1 &6-9). Thequery handler24 sends the query (shown asreference numeral42 inFIGS. 1,6, &9) to determine if anysearchable listing40 contains the search term. Thequery handler24 receives theresponse48 including thesearch result50. Thequery handler24 then return communicates thesearch result50 to theclient communications device34 via thecommunications network32.

FIG. 15 illustrates a “click to dial” feature. That is, theclient communications device34 may include click-to-dial capability. When theclient communications device34 receives thesearch result50, the web browser52 (or any other program) may cause theclient communications device34 to visually and/or audibly process thesearch result50. If thesearch result50 includes atelephone number112, theweb browser52 or other search application (not shown) could call or invoke atelephony application114 stored inmemory116. If, for example, theclient communications device34 has Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability, the user could “point and click” or otherwise select thetelephone number112. Thetelephony application114 would then establish a VoIP call to thetelephone number112. If VoIP was not available, thetelephony application114 could send a call set-updata message118 to acommunications server120. The call set-updata message118 would instruct thecommunications server120 to alert an auxiliary communications device, such as aPOTS telephone122, acellular telephone124, or any other communications device for an auto-dialing sequence. Those of ordinary skill in the art are aware of many methods by which to begin an auto-dialing sequence to a PBX, Soft Phone, etc.

FIG. 16 depicts a possible operating environment for exemplary embodiments.FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing thequery handler24 residing in a processor-controlled system150 (such as thecomputer22 shown inFIGS. 1-14).FIG. 16, however, may also represent a block diagram of any computer or communications device in which thequery handler24 may operate. Thequery handler24 operates within a system memory device. Thequery handler24, for example, is shown residing in amemory subsystem152. Thequery handler24, however, could also reside inflash memory154 orperipheral storage device156. Thecomputer system150 also has one or morecentral processors158 executing an operating system. The operating system, as is well known, has a set of instructions that control the internal functions of thecomputer system150. Asystem bus160 communicates signals, such as data signals, control signals, and address signals, between thecentral processor158 and asystem controller162. Thesystem controller162 provides a bridging function between the one or morecentral processors158, agraphics subsystem164, thememory subsystem152, and a PCI (Peripheral Controller Interface)bus166. ThePCI bus166 is controlled by aPeripheral Bus Controller168. ThePeripheral Bus Controller168 is an integrated circuit that serves as an input/output hub for various peripheral ports. These peripheral ports could include, for example, akeyboard port170, amouse port172, aserial port174, and/or aparallel port176 for a video display unit, one or moreexternal device ports178, and external hard drive ports180 (such as IDE, ATA, SATA, or SCSI). ThePeripheral Bus Controller168 could also include anaudio subsystem182. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular computer system or computer hardware.

One example of thecentral processor158 is a microprocessor. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., for example, manufactures a full line of ATHLON™ microprocessors (ATHLON™ is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088-3453, 408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com). The Intel Corporation also manufactures a family of X86 and P86 microprocessors (Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119, 408.765.8080, www.intel.com). Other manufacturers also offer microprocessors. Such other manufacturers include Motorola, Inc. (1303 East Algonquin Road, P.O. Box A3309 Schaumburg, Ill. 60196, www.Motorola.com), International Business Machines Corp. (New Orchard Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, (914) 499-1900, www.ibm.com), and Transmeta Corp. (3940 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054, www.transmeta.com). Those skilled in the art further understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular manufacturer's central processor.

According to an exemplary embodiment, any of the WINDOWS® (WINDOWS® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond Wash. 98052-6399, 425.882.8080, www.Microsoft.com) operating systems may be used. Other operating systems, however, are also suitable. Such other operating systems would include the UNIX® operating system (UNIX® is a registered trademark of the Open Source Group, www.opensource.org), the UNIX-based Linux operating system, WINDOWS NT®, and Mac® OS (Mac® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif. 95014, 408.996.1010, www.apple.com). Those of ordinary skill in the art again understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems described herein are not limited to any particular operating system.

The system memory device (shown asmemory subsystem152,flash memory154, or peripheral storage device156) may also contain an application program. The application program cooperates with the operating system and with a video display unit (via theserial port174 and/or the parallel port176) to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The Graphical User Interface typically includes a combination of signals communicated along thekeyboard port170 and themouse port172. The Graphical User Interface provides a convenient visual and/or audible interface with a user of thecomputer system150.

Any packet protocol is suitable. Exemplary embodiments describe thesearch request30 and theresponse44 as having a packetized structure. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, sometimes computer information is packetized (or “framed”) for use in packet networks. The computer information is grouped into packets according to a packet protocol. As those of ordinary skill in the art also understand, there are many packet protocols. Some of the more well-known packet protocols include TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, AppleTalk, and SNA. Some standards organizations, such as the I.E.E.E., issue standards for packetizing data. Because many networks are “mixed”—that is, the network receives and handles packets of differing protocols, a “translator” determines the particular packet protocol and the appropriate destination for each packet. Because the basics of packetizing and packet protocols are well-known, this patent will not further explain packetizing and their protocols.

The exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment. Thecommunications network32 may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. Thecommunications network32 may have POTS components and/or features. Thecommunications network32, however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). Thecommunications network32 may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. Thecommunications network32 may even include broadband over power line portions and/or wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s).

Exemplary embodiments also include publicly posting a searchable searchable listing. As the above paragraphs explained, some entities (such as businesses and corporations) may wish to store their searchable listing to a publicly-accessible server. Remember, a searchable listing is a file containing Internet-capable statements. The entity formats or converts their IVR menu of prompts into statements that can be communicated across the World Wide Web. The entity's searchable listing is a file that contains these statements. The searchable listing may then be queried and searched, as may be other webpage postings. That searchable listing is then stored on a computer server. The computer server accepts queries for searching the searchable listing.

The business or corporate entity may also provide a mapping of telephone numbers. AsFIGS. 8 and 9 illustrated, a preliminary query may be made to determine whether a telephone number is associated with one or more searchable listings. Many businesses may post their searchable listings on the World Wide Web, so the preliminary query is performed to determine which searchable listing is associated with a telephone number. The look-up database, for example, maps telephone numbers to searchable listings. A business stores a mapping of telephone numbers to their searchable listing(s) on a publicly-accessible server.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method for searching a searchable listing of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. A search request comprising a search term is received (Block200). The search term may be a telephone number (Block202). A first query may be performed to determine whether the telephone number is associated with a searchable listing (Block204). A second query may be performed to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing (Block206). A search result of the query is received (Block208). The search result may be a communications address associated with the search term (Block210). The search result may be a quick code comprising a string of sequential responses for the IVR system (Block212). The search result may be a tag having a text string that matches the search term (Block214). The tag describes at least one of a genre, a category, and a subcategory associated with the searchable listing. The search result may also comprise related data associated with the tag (Block216). The search result is communicated to a client (Block218).

The query handler application (shown asreference numeral24 in theFIGS. 1-14) may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but considered within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, allow the query handler to be easily disseminated. A computer program product comprises the query handler stored on the computer-readable medium. The query handler comprises computer-readable instructions/code for searching a searchable listing of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

The exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in any addressable (e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) wireless device capable of presenting an IP address. Examples could include a computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol mobile phone, or a wireless pager.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:

converting an interactive voice response menu of prompts into a web page comprising a graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

storing the web page in memory;

receiving, at a server, a search request sent from a requesting device, the search request comprising a communications address as a search term;

searching the web page for the communications address;

determining a match between the communications address and a portion of the web page;

receiving a tag in response to the match that is assigned to the portion of the web page, the tag describing a category and a subcategory associated with a hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

retrieving a quick code of sequential responses to the hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

sending the quick code and the tag as a response to the search request;

receiving a call at the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

receiving the quick code as inputs to the interactive voice response menu of prompts; and

navigating to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising receiving an index to a point of origin for the graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts.

3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising sending the quick code and the tag to a client device.

4. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising tagging the hierarchical tree branch with the communications address.

5. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising sending the graphical version of the hierarchical tree branch as the response to the search request.

6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising sending a graphical icon with the quick code, the icon when selected causing the inputs that navigate to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

7. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising storing a database of searchable listings that associates different communications addresses to different graphical versions of interactive voice response menus of prompts.

8. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing code stored that when executed causes the processor to:

convert an interactive voice response menu of prompts into a web page comprising a graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

store the webpage in the memory;

receive a search request sent from a requesting device, the search request comprising a communications address as a search term;

search the web page for the communications address;

determine a match between the communications address and a portion of the web page;

receive a tag in response to the match that is assigned to the portion of the web page, the tag describing a category and a subcategory associated with a hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

retrieve a quick code of sequential responses to the hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

send the quick code and the tag as a response to the search request;

receive a call at the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

receive the quick code as inputs to the interactive voice response menu of prompts; and

navigate to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

9. The system according toclaim 8, further comprising code that causes the processor to receive an index to a point of origin for the graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts.

10. The system according toclaim 8, further comprising code that causes the processor to send the quick code and the tag to a client device.

11. The system according toclaim 8, further comprising code that causes the processor to tag the hierarchical tree branch with the communications address.

12. The system according toclaim 11, further comprising code that causes the processor to send the graphical version of the hierarchical tree branch as the response to the search request.

13. The system according toclaim 11, further comprising code that causes the processor to send a graphical icon with the quick code, the icon when selected causing the inputs that navigate to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

14. The system according toclaim 8, further comprising code that causes the processor to store a database of searchable listings that associates different communications addresses to different graphical versions of interactive voice response menus of prompts.

15. A memory storing code that when executed causes a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

converting an interactive voice response menu of prompts into at least one a web page comprising graphical branches of a graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

storing the web page in the memory;

receiving a search request sent from a requesting device, the search request comprising a communications address as a search term;

searching the web page for the communications address;

determining a match between the communications address and a portion of the web page;

receiving a tag in response to the match that is assigned to the portion of the web page, the tag describing a category and a subcategory associated with a hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

retrieving a quick code of sequential responses to the hierarchical tree branch of the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

sending the quick code and the tag as a response to the search request;

receiving a call at the interactive voice response menu of prompts;

receiving the quick code as inputs to the interactive voice response menu of prompts; and

navigating to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

16. The memory according toclaim 15, further comprising code that causes the processor to receive an index to a point of origin for the graphical version of the interactive voice response menu of prompts.

17. The memory according toclaim 15, further comprising code that causes the processor to tag the hierarchical tree branch with the communications address.

18. The memory according toclaim 15, further comprising code that causes the processor to send a graphical icon with the quick code, the icon when selected causing the inputs that navigate to the hierarchical tree branch represented by the quick code.

19. The memory according toclaim 15, further comprising code that causes the processor to store a database of searchable listings that associates different communications addresses to different graphical versions of interactive voice response menus of prompts.

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